An English Squire (Volume 1) (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: 47 CHAPTER XXI. IN THE THICK OF THE TIGHT. " Oh, that 'twere I had heen false?not she !" In the meantime the unconscious Rupert was strolling up and down in front of the house waiting for his uncle to come out, and intending to take him into his confidence and ask for his good offices Adth Ruth's guardians. It was well for her that he had no suspicion of what was passing; for little as she guessed it, he would have greatly resented her treachery towards Cheriton as well as towards himself. But Rupert was in high spirits, and when Mr. Lester joined him, he told his tale with the best grace that he could. His uncle was pleased with the news, and questioned him pretty closely upon all its details,shook his head over the previous difficulties which Rupert admitted, told him that he was quite right to be open with him, congratulated him when he owned to having met with success with the lady herself, and, pleased with being consulted, threw himself heart and soul into the matter. As they came up towards the back of the house, they met Alvar, who, rather hastily, asked if they had seen Cheriton. "He went to take a walk. I am afraid he will be tired," he explained. " Eh, Alvar, you're too fidgety," said his father good-humouredly. " There's Cheriton, looking at the puppies." Alvar looked, and beheld a group gathered in the doorway of a great barn, the figures standing out clear in the sunshine against the dark shadow behind. Nettie was standing in the centre with her arms apparently full of whining little puppies; the mother, a handsome retriever, was yelping and whining near. Buffer was barking and dancing in a state of frantic jealousy beside her. Bob and Jackwere disputing over the merits of the puppies. Dick Seyton, with a cigar in his mouth, was leaning lazily a...